Development of a Catalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Bipropellant Engine

• Main Authors: Chien-An Chen, 陳建安
• Other Authors: Yei-Chin Chao
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/00684752316321239795

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 航空太空工程學系碩博士班 === 92 === Non-air breathing propulsion systems find extensive applications in outer space exploration and under-water discovery activities. Traditional non-air breathing propulsion systems use toxic propellants such as hydrazine and HTBP. Nontoxic propellants, such as hydrogen peroxide, are considered as the “green propellants” for the new generation. High-concentration hydrogen peroxide can be used as the monopropellant as it generates high-temperature oxygen and superheat vapor when decomposed. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as the oxidizer in the bipropellant system. Bipropellant systems, usually combining hydrogen peroxide with kerosene or other hydrocarbon fuels, can generate more specific impulse (ISP) and thrust than monopropellant. The main objective of the current research is to develop a bipropellant thruster system using hydrogen peroxide and kerosene. There are several key technologies in this research needed to be surmounted, including process of distillation of low-grade hydrogen peroxide water solution into propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide, selection and tests of catalysts for hydrogen peroxide decomposition, design and test of a hydrogen peroxide-kerosene bipropellant combustor system. High-concentration propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide distillation facility and process was developed based upon the method of sub-atmospheric heating distillation. After 8 hours of distillation, we can successfully increase the concentration of hydrogen peroxide form 50% to 85%. With extended period of distillation, the concentration can be further raised close to 100%. Catalyst is usually used in the propulsion systems to enhance decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water vapor and generate thrust. In general, silver is most widely used as the catalyst for hydrogen peroxide decomposition. However, silver has its own drawbacks. For example, silver needs preheating before using. In this study, several catalysts were selected as the candidates and tested, including: silver, manganese oxide and platinum. The test result show that platinum has the best low-temperature activeness and highest temperature yield among the catalysts when tested in the room temperature. The above-mentioned high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and catalyst bed design are integrated in the design and tests of the combustor of a hydrogen peroxide-kerosene bipropellant propulsion system. Test results show that the current design of a cyclone combustor can provide stable combustion and smooth combustor operation and build up chamber pressure required to generate thrust.